Private investors in from the cold
PROPERTY is now an attractive option.One of the consequences of the structural changes within the property sector in recent years has been the re-emergence of the private property investor.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Growth potential for industrial property
THE industrial property sector offers growth potential, given a limited supply, particularly of larger units, says Ian Watt, MD of Old Mutual Properties. He says bigger users are looking for premises better equipped than those on offer in the market.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Deadline looms for capital tax on property
TAXPAYERS have two weeks left to transfer property out of companies, close corporations and trusts into their own names to avoid capital gains tax (CGT), says Deloitte & Touche director Peter Harrison.The tax laws make provision for a R1m exemption on the disposal of residential property held in the names of individuals.
(©www.bday.co.za)

How you own a second property will affect your tax liability
Personal Finance has enlisted the help of Deborah Tickle, a tax partner at KPMG, to explain common tax problems. This week, she considers the debate about owning property, other than your primary residence, in a trust, close corporation or company.
(©www.persfin.co.za)

There may be a price to pay if you don't value your assets for CGT
The value of an asset on October 1, 2001, when capital gains tax was introduced, is of central importance in quantifying gains, writes Peter Harrison, the associate director of taxation services at Deloitte & Touche.
(©www.persfin.co.za)

Cabinet gives the nod to fourth IDZ
Cape Town - Cabinet had approved the fourth industrial development zone (IDZ), near Johannesburg International Airport, Joel Netshitenzhe, a government spokesperson, said yesterday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Airport free zone will boost light industry
THE cabinet is expected to pronounce soon whether a site next to Johannesburg International Airport has been designated as SA's second industrial development zone (IDZ), following Coega's designation last year.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Native prison' recalls past but faces the future
THE Constitutional Court precinct on the 19th century Old Fort premises in Braamfontein opened for limited public tours and world summit-related activities during late August.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Liberty Properties strikes a high note
LIBERTY Properties is celebrating 35 years in business by sponsoring the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra for a season. With a R12bn property management portfolio encompassing total gross lettable space of more than 2,1-million square metres, the company says the move is a fitting tribute to hitting the right notes with its developments.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Jobs and homes for revitalised Kliptown
WHEN delegates to the World Summit on Sustainable Development descended on Johannesburg during late August, many wanted to visit Soweto. Greater Kliptown an area of historical importance in Soweto located between the residential areas of Eldorado Park, Pimville, Dlamini and Klipspruit West is in the process of being revitalised, but aspects of it were accelerated in time for the summit to capitalise on its historical interest.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Gautrain rapid rail link enters Blue IQ focus
GAUTENG government yesterday announced plans to launch a big new drive to promote public private partnerships in its Blue IQ initiative, aimed at boosting economic growth in the province.One of the pivotal projects is the Gautrain rapid rail link, a high speed train linking Johannesburg and Pretoria with Johannesburg International Airport.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Civil engineering sector sheds jobs
THE civil engineering sector in Western Cape shed more than 1300 jobs during the year to June, an industry survey has found. In addition, the SA Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors reports that the civil divisions of four large engineering groups operating in the province were closed, or moved to Johannesburg, as government spending on large infrastructure projects slowed to a trickle.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Big five right on Jo'burg's doorstep
FOR many foreign visitors, no visit to Africa seems complete without viewing the big five rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard in their bushveld and grassland habitat. Blue IQ's Dinokeng project will offer visitors exactly that, a little more an hour's drive from Johannesburg.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Technology park to stimulate business
TAILOR-MADE science and technology parks have proved their worth internationally for stimulating hi-tech business start-ups. Through Blue IQ, SA will have its first such park by 2004, and possibly the beginnings of our own hi-tech cluster.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Deep empowerment' will be more enduring
GOVERNMENT should use its buying power to reward employment equity and long-term skills transfer as a stepping stone to black economic empowerment. This could lead to genuine empowerment that would prove to be more enduring, said Carl Grim, CE of SA's largest construction company, Aveng.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Oil slick ahead
Mossel Bay, the gas and oil boomtown on the Garden Route in the Western Cape, is being threatened by a flood of properties for sale. Petro SA (the Petroleum Oil & Gas Corp of SA), a subsidiary of the Central Energy Fund formed from the merger of Mossgas and Soekor, has signed a lease with V&A Waterfront Properties for 7 000 m² of offices at its Cape Town harbourside office complex, Portswood. If the suspensive conditions of the deal are met, staff could start leaving Mossel Bay before the end of the year.
(©www.fm.co.za)

Monex skeletons
Financial services firm BoE has suspended at least seven staff, including four top managers, at property group Monex over alleged irregularities at Monex's multibillion-rand Century City complex in Cape Town. The suspensions have been instituted by BoE senior manager Greg Deans, who is caretaking Monex following its recent delisting.
(©www.fm.co.za)

Manufacturing about-face for SA's top industrial area
BLUE IQ, the economic master plan of the Gauteng provincial government, aims to kickstart an evolution of Gauteng's manufacturing sector over the next 10 years from the historical lowvalue, high-bulk markets to high value-added goods and services.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Plan to set up trade hub in Jo'burg for exporters
PLANS are under way to establish a permanent exhibition centre in Johannesburg, which would host existing and potential SA exporters as well as foreign companies. The aim is to provide a trade hub to introduce these exhibitors to the 600000 foreigners from 212 countries who visit SA each year on business.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Engineering for sustainable development in Africa
During the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) high-level decision makers and politicians from around the world converged in Johannesburg to thrash out policy issues surrounding water, energy, health, agriculture and biodiversity.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Gas could rise to 7% of SA's energy mix in a decade
The contribution of natural gas to South Africa's thermal energy supply could increase significantly over the next ten to twelve years, from the present 2% to 7%, Engineering News can report.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Global Power Play
This time last year, Sasol CEO Pieter Cox told cynical analysts that by 2005 foreign and export sales would bring in more than half of the group's revenue. Cox got his forecast badly wrong - within six months, the target was exceeded.
(©www.fm.co.za)

Maize-product firm pursues new niches
Toothpaste, soups, sweets, paper, board, braai briquettes, textiles, beer, spices, beverages, glue, intravenous drips and sweeteners are only a few of the industries currently making use of the products and coproducts produced by South Africa's African Products."The production of starch and other coproducts from maize is one of South Africa's low-key industries, but provides raw-materials to a wide-range of applications from pulp and paper to the mining and pharmaceutical industries," says MD Nico Kruger.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

SAFCEC NEWS

REGISTRATION AS PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
The SA Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) has, in terms of the Project and Construction Management Professionals Act (No. 48 of 2000), advised SAFCEC of their fee and registration requirements, which are attached to this Newsletter. A registration form is also attached.
Some things to note:
There will be no reciprocity between the various councils under the Council for the Built Environment. I.e., if you are a Pr.Eng, there will be no discounted fees for registration as a Pr.CM or Pr.CPM.
There appears to be no reciprocity between the professional institution and SACPCMP. I.e. if you are a member of SAICE, there is no discounted fee with SACPCMP as there is at present with ECSA.
There is a “grandpa” clause for those wishing to register that have been in the industry for some years.
Any queries should be addressed to the SACMCMP President, Mr Ferdi Fester, 083 260 1542, or the Registrar, Ms Thoko Machimane, 011 642 1150 For a registration form click here.

CONTRACTUAL AFFAIRS
The Contractual Affairs Committee met during the week. The main points of discussion were:
Preferential Procurement Policies – At present there is chaos out in the market with each different client body specifying a different method of allocating the 10 points in the 90/10 adjudication system. See the report by Howard Richardson. It was recommended by the committee that representation be made to the Minister of Trade and Industry to get some sanity and standardisation in the matter.
SABS 2001 – Following appeals in this Newsletter for comment on the draft SABS 2001 construction standards, some comment has been received. However the deadline for comment is fast approaching (27 September 2002) and members are encouraged to review the standards before it is too late.
SAFCEC Subcontract – The current SAFCEC Subcontract Agreement. Last updated in 1996, is being reviewed with a view to making it suitable for use with the FIDIC suite of contracts.
Escalation Indices – Consideration is being given to ask STATSSA to publish a second Civil Engineering Material Index for use in road rehabilitation contracts. It was, however, felt by the committee that bitumen should be considered as a Special Material and dealt with under the “rise and fall” clause.

TENDER WATCH
World Bank Pledges Aid to Angola The Associated Press, Thu 12 Sep 2002
LUANDA, Angola (AP) - The World Bank pledged $120 million Thursday to help Angola rebuild after more than two decades of civil war, but told its leaders they must take measures to dispel suspicion of high-level corruption.
Angola has earned hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years from offshore exploration by foreign oil companies but has asked the international community for aid to help ease the plight of 4 million people driven from their homes by the war.
ANGOLA: Angola Press Agency (Luanda) September 12, 2002
A four-star Hotel worth 25 million US Dollars will be built in Lubango (southern Huila Province) to foster tourism in the region. The Hotel, a project by "Tropicana Cip Service" travel and tourism agency, will start being constructed in December this year. Tropicana Delegate in Huila, António Martins, said that the hotel will have 15 floors, restaurants, pubs, conference halls, administrative and service areas. The agency operates in Huila, Cabinda (northern) Benguela (coastal), South Africa and Namibia.
KENYA: EU Approves Sh 5.5b for Mombasa Road Project The East African Standard (Nairobi) Sep 3 The European Commission has finally approved a grant of Euro 79.5 million (approximately Sh 5.5 billion) to rehabilitate Mombasa road. The project will involve the section between Sultan Hamud and Mtito Andei which is said to be in bad state.
(©www.safcec.org.za)

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SA hotels enjoy rise in income
Pretoria - Hotel income for the first seven months of the year increased by 8,9 percent compared to the same period last year, Statistics SA said on Thursday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Vestacor targets retail sector
Cape Town - Niche retail investment group Vestacor would continue to look for opportunities in the retail sector after bedding down its various businesses in the 2002 financial year and pushing profits there to higher levels.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

New Clicks Australia opens pilot drug store
New York - New Clicks Australia, the subsidiary of New Clicks Holdings, has launched its new pharmacy banner group - Priceline Pharmacy. Priceline Pharmacy is being offered to pharmacists as a franchising opportunity, leveraging off the support-services infrastructure of New Clicks and the knowledge gained from the group's involvement in the South African healthcare market.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Liquidators get eight bids for CNA's 200 retail stores
Johannesburg - The provisional liquidators of Consolidated News Agency (Consolidated) and of Central News Agency (Central) have received R1 million deposits from each of eight parties interested in making bids for the troubled retail group. The list of eight includes Edcon, Shoprite and a variety of merchant banking firms including CorpCapital.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Brotherly brawl
A family dispute over strategy has developed into a fully fledged shareholder brawl at JSE-listed Global Village (Glovil), the leisure retail company that runs the Bruma Lake flea market, among others. In a circular issued last week, Glovil has asked shareholders to vote on a R1m severance package for Gary Israelsohn, co-founder of the group with his brother, Marc, who is CEO and chairman.
(©www.fm.co.za)

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Benoni farmer seeks eviction of squatters
A BENONI farmer is forcing the state to implement an eviction order to remove 40000 illegal squatters from his farm. The Pretoria High Court will hear the case today of Abraham Duvenage, who won an eviction order from the Witwatersrand High Court last year to remove the illegal squatters, but which the sheriff of the court has failed to implement.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Redress: how the land lies
The South African government will not apply the "willing-buyer, willing-seller" concept in its efforts to secure land for landless blacks - that's what Gilingwe Mayende, the director-general of the department of land affairs, wants to emphasise.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

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Most Zimbabweans want Mugabe to retire
HARARE.Survey finds 65,6% of respondents want a new president. Most Zimbabweans want their 78-year-old president, Robert Mugabe who has spent 22 years in power to retire, according to the results of a survey released yesterday.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Get Mugabe to go, MDC urges Commonwealth
Zimbabwe's main opposition party has called on members of a Commonwealth monitoring committee, due to meet next week to discuss action against Zimbabwe, to ask President Robert Mugabe to step down "so that fresh presidential elections can take place".
(©www.iol.co.za)

Zimbabwe should not be left to SA to sort out
IN MY travels across SA I am asked time and again about the situation in Zimbabwe and its effect on SA. Somehow this nation state, with an economy smaller than Durban's and representing less than 3% of SA's foreign trade, has managed to upset the apple cart for the international community.
(©www.bday.co.za)

ABB clinches R320m contract
SWISS-based engineering multinational ABB said yesterday that it had secured a R320m order in Mozambique to build a transmission system to supply power to northwestern Niassa province. The 343km line and transmission system will provide stable electricity supply from the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric power plant, linking the region to the central and northern electricity grid.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Nigeria invites bids for steel plants
Nigeria invited international steel producers last week to express interest as core investors in its three inland steel rolling plants.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Mining key in Sierra Leone reconstruction
Sierra Leone, devastated by a decade (1991 to 2001) of brutal civil war, is hoping that the mining sector will play a major role in its reconstruction process.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Foreign direct investment in Africa is stagnant, UN reports
Geneva - Foreign direct investment in the poorest African nations generally failed to rise above its persistently low levels last year, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported Tuesday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

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Barrick to spend $2bn on new mines
Toronto - Barrick Gold said yesterday it would spend $2 billion over five years on new mines to boost output by more than a third, challenging Newmont's position as the world's biggest gold miner. The Toronto-based company expects the mines in Peru, Chile, Australia and Argentina to contribute about 2 million ounces a year over a decade, worth a total of $6.3 billion at current prices.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Prevention technique for rope corrosion
A wire-rope grease applicator to reduce product wastage and ensure less downtime for underground mining operations has been developed by Shell South Africa (SSA), in a bid to extend rope life. SSA's specialist mining lubrication team (SMLT) devised the high-pressure grease applicator to combat corrosion and friction, two key adversaries to the lifespan of wire ropes. Shell's high-pressure applicator forces grease into the rope
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Blasting barricade designed for mine industry
A Johannesburg manufacturer and supplier of tie-down straps, lifting chain slings, and lifting- and restraint-nets, has formed a design partnership with HB Hydraulics for a blasting barricade for underground mining applications.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

SA gears up for inaugural mining week
The Department of Minerals and Energy (DME), the Mining Industry and Labour (Tripartite) will host the Mining Week Show, in conjunction with Electra Mining, from September 30 to October 4 at Nasrec in Johannesburg.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Gold miner, unions sign Aids agreement
Gold miner Harmony, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the South African Equity Workers Association (SAEWA) and the United Association of South Africa (UASA) on Friday pledged their support, by signing an agreement that is based on the principle that HIV/AIDS is preventable and presents an opportunity to participants to make a real difference.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Canadian miner added to S&P index
Candian miner, SouthernEra Resources has announced its admission to the S&P/TSX Composite Index.SouthernEra's admission follows the Quarterly S&P/TSX Composite Index Review and the subsequent announcement on September 17 by Standard and Poor's.The index changes, outlined in the announcement, will occur after the close of trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange today.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Gold in uncertain times
Though the threat of war between the US and Iraq seems to have been averted for the time being, conflict between the two countries still remains a strong possibility.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

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Bank move may strain home sales
ANNOUNCEMENTS of rates increase seen pushing already struggling sector into negative growth. The one percentage point increase in interest rates announced last week could push the residential property market into negative growth territory.The market had already been showing signs of strain, with marginal to no real growth in certain sectors.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Farms in favour again
Rising exports, good produce prices and ecotourism are boosting the demand for farms around the country, despite lingering concerns about Zimbabwe-style land grabs.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Housing prospects shaken by service cost increases
Massive increases in charges for electricity, water and other municipal services have dealt a severe blow to landlords as well as tenants in South Africa's large cities, and could bring about a drop in the private sector provision of rental housing.
(©www.property24.co.za)

The right way to handle cluster home rentals
Buyers in new estates, clusters and other planned communities should ensure that their homeowners' association (HOA) has a formal policy covering the letting of homes in the development and the obligations of owners who become landlords.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Before you sign: Check the deed
Property buyers should never forget to scrutinise the title deed - no matter how excited they are at the prospect of a new home.
(©www.property24.co.za)

ST owners can call special general meetings
The trustees of a sectional title (ST) scheme have the right to call a special general meeting - but they do not have an exclusive right to do so.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Seeff Property Services awards new license
Seeff Property Services has just announced the purchase by Brenda Dickinson of a new Western Cape license, that of projects and developments for the southern suburbs and False Bay areas of Cape Town.
(©www.property24.co.za)

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Transfer duty exemption expires on September 30
Time is fast running out if you want to transfer your property into your own name and save yourself paying up to 28 percent in taxes.
(©www.persfin.co.za)

The lure of a record low
Overcapacity in the building industry and a weak rand have pushed SA building costs to historic lows against other countries. The highest contract price of an air-conditioned office building in SA is now only US310/m² - 13% of the 2 350 cost in the US - according to a survey by international consultants E C Harris. It is only 42% of the $730 top cost in Slovakia, the next lowest on a list of 35 countries . Japan is the highest at $2 630/m².
(©www.fm.co.za)

How business ethics failed Corporate America (and what we must do next)
These are times that test our courage. Our headlines are filled daily with revelations of corporate corruption, blind greed and staggering billion dollar losses in stock evaluations that have affected financial markets around the world. These are times that test our character.
(©www.projectmagazine.com)

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August CPI to be closely watched
Johannesburg - The August consumer price inflation figures and the South African Reserve Bank Quarterly Bulletin, both expected to be published on Tuesday, are the two key releases scheduled for this week, Absa senior economist John Loos said on Monday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

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Erwin sees clearer road for trade-enviro talks in WTO
Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin believes the clarification obtained at the recent Joburg Summit on the relationship between trade and environmental agreements will help no end in ensuring progress in trade talks currently in play in Geneva.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Platinum steals show as gold leads charmed life
Johannesburg - Platinum shares were one of the highlights on Friday, with the index ending the day 3,58 percent firmer on the JSE. Gold shares had a volatile day, starting marginally firmer before dropping as much as 3,5 percent across the board. However, gold stocks managed to end only 0,17 percent down after a late rally.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

10 Tips for Better Writing
First impressions increasingly determine what we read and what we don't, and poor writing leads to a poor first impression. Tim North, in his article 10 Tips for Better Writing, helps us correct some of the most common grammatical errors.
(©www.projectmagazine.com)

Standard system of measuring builder's work for small and simple buildings
Laura asks in Topics : "What principles are used in the standard system of measuring builders' work for small or simple buildings.are they similar or do they differ to the standard system for measuring builders' work. What is the point of having this document if not so many qs's know about, is it of significance to the industry?" Please give your views to the question by clicking on the above link.

The Construction Economics Committee still needs more input!
PLEASE TAKE 30 SECONDS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH YOUR INPUT BY RANKING 5 TOPICS IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE!
Do so by clicking here!
Thanks to all our members who have made the effort to submit data.

REGISTRAR REQUIRED - COUNCIL FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
The Council for the Built Environment is a statutory body established under the Council for the Built Environment Act (No. 43 of 2000). It is an overarching body that co-ordinates the six Professional Councils operating within the built environment towards ensuring quality, performance, integration and compliance with national goals. Full details are available in Classifieds on the ASAQS website.

Seen in Classifieds:
Assistant QS Manager
Thompson Cole - Chartered Quantity Surveyors, London. Seek assistant QS manager for their Saudi Arabian operations, based in Jeddah. To work closely with present South African resident manager. Young enthusiastic person, single status, minimum of 4 years post graduate experience.

Hotel, Tourism & Property company requires the services of a registered Quantity Surveyor

The Complete Steel Solution Conference
The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) will be hosting a 3CR12 Conference at the Sandton Convention Centre on the 10th & 11th of October. This conference will address recent developments, new applications and opportunities for the specification, design, and cost
effective use of 3CR12 corrosion resistant steel in a wide range of industry
sectors. Click here for registration form and programme.

Conference on Construction and Engineering Excellence
The theme of this conference is that the building process needs to be streamlined with all essential parties coming together to ensure success and will be held from 30 September to 1 October 2002 at the Balalaika Hotel in Sandton. Full details available on the ASAQS website.

Remember: Visit the ASAQS website for new updates!

New members to the CUG

Next week

Please note : Only paid-up members of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors are allowed entrance to the CUG. We still receive a number of applications every month from non-members. If you have any questions regarding membership contact Mrs Barbara Morgan on 011-3154140

Also note that your registration to the CUG will remain in force as long as you remain a member of ASAQS and there is no need to register every year. If you have not received an e-mail confirming your registration contact ASAQS.

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